Staff MemberPremium Member

This story is actually from a few days ago, but we didn't quite get to it. It's still pretty cool news, even a few days later, so just in case you haven't heard it...

It looks like the FCC is finally doing something about telemarketers that can have a serious impact. They plan to publish the phone numbers of telemarketers on a weekly basis. Their concept is that by publishing the numbers, developers can create automated apps which can more effectively bock annoying spam calls before we even get them.

Obviously, this primarily would work for folks with cell phones, but the FCC also indicated they are working on a solution for landline phones. Finally, we can start to cut down and possibly eliminate robocalling!

Rescue SquadPremium Member

I just can't imagine the success rate those companies have with that. I would never purchase a warranty for a vehicle from some random company that called me out of the blue. Even if I still owned the vehicle.

Well, weekly lists will help since a lot of these robo-callers are changing numbers constantly (one service kept calling my google voice number - must have blocked at least half a dozen numbers of theirs over the course of a few months).

But the other issue is the worst offenders aren't exactly on the up-and-up, and in many cases are probably overseas and using wifi calling. So I'm not sure how the FCC list is going to include the worst offenders unless it's crowd sourced or based on complaints.

Still nice to see the FCC do something productive instead of trying to regulate the internet like a 1930's telecom.

I've been really lucky that my actual VZW number has stayed pretty clean all these years. But my GV number has occasional been compromised, but at least it allows me to blacklist numbers.

pro tip: whenever possible, use your GV number for transactions. Online shopping, even your car dealer - you never know when national lists are going to be accumulated by a business and sold.

I've also gotten to the point where I don't answer my phone if I don't recognize the number (or at least the area code!). If the call matters, they'll leave a message which I will get transcribed in my email from GV minutes later.